Catheter Valve and Methods of Using Same

ABSTRACT

A valve is provided with a valve body, a tubular member and a slidable member. The valve body includes a top portion with an inclined sliding surface having a longitudinal slot forming a track and a bottom portion corresponding with the top portion. The tubular member includes walls defining a passageway extending through the valve body. The slidable member is disposed along the track and engageable with the walls of the tubular member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/485,127, filed May 31, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relate to a valve and, in particular, to a valvefor restricting the flow of a fluid there through.

BACKGROUND

Catheters, particularly indwelling and suprapubic catheters, arecommonly prescribed for patients that are unable to void their bladderswithout assistance. Such catheters comprise a tube placed through theurethra and into the bladder, which allows urine to continuously flowfrom the bladder. Because the flow of urine from the bladder iscontinuous, in order to prevent leakage and to collect urine, acollection device, such as, for example, a urine bag, or another devicesuch as a valve, must be constantly in place on the external end of thecatheter. However, use of a urine bag is not desirable because if a userwishes to remain mobile, the bag typically must be attached to a user'sleg, which can be uncomfortable because of the bag's bulky nature bothbefore and after it is filled. Also, its bulky nature makes it visiblewhen worn with every day clothes. Because a user who is mobile isconstantly moving, there is also the potential for the urine bag to leakor even worse, disconnect while in use, which may result in anembarrassing situation for the user. Moreover, prior valves have beencomplicated structures that require a wearer to use two hands or requiregreat dexterity to actuate.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be used with acatheter to void the bladder that is discrete, resistant to leakage,easy to use, and comfortable when used in everyday life.

SUMMARY

A valve is provided with a valve body, a tubular member and a slidablemember. The valve body includes a top portion with an inclined slidingsurface having a longitudinal slot forming a track and a bottom portioncorresponding with the top portion. The tubular member includes wallsdefining a passageway extending through the valve body. The slidablemember is disposed along the track and engageable with the walls of thetubular member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and many of the attendant advantages ofthe invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cathetervalve.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the catheter valve depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is side view of the catheter valve depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the catheter valve depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, withthe catheter valve shown in the open position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, withthe catheter valve shown in the closed position.

FIG. 7 is a further cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1,with the catheter valve in the opened position.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the catheter valve depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the catheter valve depicted in FIG. 1,with the top portion of the valve body removed.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of acatheter valve.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the catheter valve depicted in FIG. 10,with the top portion of the valve body removed.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the catheter valve depicted inFIG. 10, showing an expandable bellows.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 10, withan expandable bellows in the unexpanded state.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 10, withan expandable bellows in the expanded state.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 10,showing a desiccant pad prior to absorbing a fluid.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 10,showing a desiccant pad after absorbing a fluid.

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of a further exemplary embodimentof a catheter valve showing an embodiment of an attachment means.

FIG. 18A is a top plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of acatheter valve showing visual markings on the valve body with thecatheter valve in the closed position.

FIG. 18B is a top plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of acatheter valve showing visual markings on the valve body with thecatheter valve in the opened position.

FIG. 19A is a top plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of acatheter valve showing visual markings on the valve body with thecatheter valve in the closed position.

FIG. 19B is a top plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of acatheter valve showing visual markings on the valve body with thecatheter valve in the opened position.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a catheterassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In the figures, in which like numerals indicate like elementsthroughout, there is shown an embodiment of a catheter valve. Thecatheter valve is generally referred to by the numeral 10. The cathetervalve 10 is preferably low-profile and allows the user or caregiver toselectively control the flow of urine from a catheter. Such a cathetercan be, for example, a Foley-type catheter. This selective restrictionof urine flow permits temporary sealing of the catheter without the needto be constantly tethered to a collection device such as a urine bag.Accordingly, a user can achieve improved mobility and comfort bytemporarily detaching the collection device without either having toremove the catheter from the bladder or risking leakage. In other cases,the valve 10 provides a user with increased mobility without the needfor a collection device, by permitting the user to drain the catheterdirectly into a toilet or other receptacle through operation of thecatheter valve 10. As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal”refer to the portions of a device that are closest to and further awayfrom an attending physician during insertion into a patient. Forexample, with respect to a catheter, such as a Foley catheter, thedistal end of the catheter is inserted into the patient's bladder, andthe proximal end of the catheter remains outside of the patient afterinsertion.

Depicted in FIGS. 1 through 9 is a first exemplary embodiment of thecatheter valve 10. As shown in the figures, the catheter valve 10comprises a valve body 12 having an inlet end 12A, an outlet end 12B, alongitudinal axis 13, a tubular member 14 (see FIGS. 5-9), whichincludes a lumen that defines a passageway therethrough, a slidablemember 16, an inlet connector 18 on the inlet end 12A of the valve body12, and an outlet connector 20 on an outlet end 12B of the valve body12. In the present embodiment, the valve body 12 is a two-piecestructure that includes a top portion 24 and a bottom portion 26, whichcan be joined together using any means known in the art including a snapor press-fit connection, adhesive connection, ultrasonic welding, etc.In alternative embodiments, the valve body may be a unitary structure.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 5-7, the top portion 24 of the valve body12 includes an inclined sliding surface 28 upon which the slidablemember 16 is mounted. The inclined sliding surface 28 inclines at anangle “θ,” which may preferably range from approximately 1° to 45° withrespect to the longitudinal axis 13, from the outlet connector 20 to theinlet connector 18. The inclined sliding surface 28 includes alongitudinal slot 29 therein that is substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis 13 of the valve body 1 when viewed from above, such asis depicted in FIG. 2. The longitudinal slot 29 forms a track thatpermits the slidable member 16 to be operable between a first, openposition (position “A” in the figures, see FIG. 5) and a second, closedposition (position “B” in the figures, see FIG. 6) thereby allowing theuser or caregiver to selectively operate the catheter valve 10 betweenthe open and closed position to allow or restrict the flow of a fluid,such as urine, through the catheter valve 10 (further operation of thecatheter valve 10 will be discussed below). As can be seen in FIGS. 5and 6, the inclined sliding surface 28 is at a maximum height above theinterior base of the valve body 12 at position “A” and at a minimumheight above the base at position “B.” Preferably, the angle “θ” of theinclined sliding surface 28 with respect to the longitudinal axis 13ranges from approximately 3° to approximately 10°.

Although the inclined sliding surface 28 and the longitudinal slot 29are depicted as being substantially straight and substantially alignedto the longitudinal axis 13, as best seen in FIG. 2, alternativeembodiments may include an inclined sliding surface 28 and acorresponding longitudinal slot 29 that are curved and/or that are at anangle with respect to the longitudinal axis 13, such as when viewed fromabove (i.e., the inclined sliding surface 28 and/or the longitudinalslot 29 can be skewed horizontally with respect to the longitudinal axis13). Indeed, any configuration of the inclined sliding surface 28 andlongitudinal slot 29 is acceptable as long as such configuration permitsthe slidable member 16 to contact and releasably compress the tubularmember 14 during the opening and closing of the catheter valve 10.

Turning now to the internal features of the catheter valve 10, as can beseen in FIGS. 5-7 and 8, which is an exploded view of the catheter valve10, the tubular member 14 fluidly connects the inlet connector 18 to theoutlet connector 20 thereby providing an internal passageway for fluidto flow through the valve body 12 from one end of the catheter valve 10to the other. The tubular member 14 is a generally resilient flexible orsemi-flexible tube that can be selectively fully compressed or releasedand uncompressed to either permit or restrict fluid flow therethrough.The flexible tubular member 14 may have a generally elongatedcylindrical shape formed by walls that allow fluid to pass therethrough;however, other shapes are possible. As used herein the “wall” of theflexible tubular member 14 may refer to the opposing sides of a singleflexible tubular member 14 defining a passageway. Thus, reference to“walls of flexible tubular member 14” can refer to opposing sides of asingular cylindrical structure and should not be interpreted asrequiring two structurally independent and distinct walls. As will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, the tubular member 14 neednot be tubular in nature (i.e., have a circular cross-section) and mayhave any geometric shape or construction that provides an internal fluidpath for fluid to flow therethrough in an open condition and alsopermits the internal fluid path to be closed or obstructed upon movingof the slidable member 16 to the closed position, thereby compressingthe walls towards each other and restricting flow of a fluid through thecatheter valve 10.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the slidable member 16 may be of a two-piececonstruction, comprising a sliding top portion 30 and a sliding bottomportion 32 matable thereto. The sliding bottom portion 32, whichcontacts tubular member 14, includes a curved or convex contact portion33 that is adapted to minimize piercing or creasing of, or other damageto, the tubular member 14. Moreover, the sliding top portion 30 isdesigned to have a contour and surface that is easily graspable andmanipulable by a user. By way of example, the surface of the sliding topportion 30 may include ridges and/or may be made or coated with anon-slip material.

The sliding top portion 30 and sliding bottom portion 32 may attach toone another via a tab portion 31 that extends through the longitudinalslot 29 in such a manner so that the inclined sliding surface 28 issandwiched therebetween. The sliding top portion 30 and tab portion 31of the sliding bottom portion 32 can be attached to each other using asnap- or press-fit connection, friction-fit connection, adhesives, orany other method known in the art. Thus, when the sliding top portion 30is moved in the longitudinal slot 29 along the inclined sliding surface28, the sliding bottom portion 32 moves in a corresponding manner. Aswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the slidablemember 16 need not be a multi-component structure but may be of aunitary construction as well.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5-8, the bottom portion 26 of the valve body 12includes a raised structure 34 such as a ramp or other similar structureextending up from the base of the bottom portion 26. Thus, as can alsobe seen in the figures, when the tubular member 14 is in place withinthe valve body 12, at least a portion of the tubular member 14 isdisposed along the raised structure 34 between the contact portion 33 ofthe slidable member 16 and the raised structure 34 of the bottom portion26 of the valve body 12. As best seen in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, theflexibility of the tubular member 14 allows the tubular member 14 tobend in order to follow the profile of the raised structure 34.Accordingly, when the slidable member 16 is in the first, open position,position “A,” the slidable member 16 and hence, the contact portion 33,is at a point on the inclined sliding surface 28 that is spaced furthestfrom the base. Thus, the contact portion 33 of the slidable member 16 isat a maximum spacing from the base, with minimal to no engagement thetubular member 14, thereby allowing the lumen or internal passageway ofthe tubular member 14 to remain generally open and unrestricted,permitting urine to flow through the catheter valve 10. However, as theslidable member 16 is moved along the inclined sliding surface 28 fromposition “A” to position “B,” the contact portion 33 converges towardraised structure 34 on the bottom portion 26 of the valve body 12thereby compressing the tubular member 14. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 6,when the slidable member 16 is moved entirely to the closed position,the slidable member 16 is at a point “B” on the inclined sliding surface28 that is closest to the base, compressing the tubular member 14,forcing the interior walls of the lumen into mutual contact with eachother thereby fully closing or obstructing the internal passageway ofthe tubular member 14 and restricting the flow of fluid, such as urine,through the catheter valve 10.

Instead of fully opening or fully closing the catheter valve 10, a usermay slide the slidable member 16 to any point along the inclined slidingsurface 28 to selectively control the size of the fluid passageway inthe lumen of the tubular member 14, thereby controlling the rate atwhich fluid flows through the catheter valve 10 and hence, the rate atwhich the bladder empties.

As an alternative to including a raised structure 34, the valve body 12may be formed without such a structure and instead the tubular member 14can be disposed within the valve body 12 such that the tubular member 14remains substantially flat and uncurved (see, e.g., the catheter valveembodiment depicted in FIGS. 13-16). Such a configuration operatessimilarly, such that, when the slidable member 16 moves from the openedposition to the closed position along the inclined sliding surface 28,the slidable member 16 converges toward the bottom portion 26 of thevalve body (rather than the raised structure 34) thereby compressing thetubular member 14 and restricting the flow of fluid therethrough.

As depicted in the present embodiment, the inlet connector 18 may be amale fitting with ridges 36 thereon that releasably attaches to theexternal end of a catheter. The outlet connector 20 may also be a malefitting with ridges 36 thereon that can be used to releasably attach toa collection device such as a urine bag, a drainage tube, a cap or theoutlet connector 20 may be left open. Alternatively, although not shown,the inlet and outlet connectors may be female fittings depending on theintended application of the catheter valve 10. The inlet and outletconnectors may be any type of connector that provides for aleak-resistant connection and allows a user to easily attach and detachthe catheter valve 10 to a catheter and/or collection or drainagedevice. Such a connection may be a snap- or press-fit connection, acompression fit or friction fit connection or any other type ofconnection known in the art. Alternatively, the inlet and outletconnectors need not be separate components and may instead be integrallymolded or constructed with the valve body 12, or tubular member 14.

FIGS. 10-16, depict additional exemplary embodiments of a catheter valve210, which includes a pressure relief valve 244 fluidly connected to atubular member 218 (see FIGS. 13-16). In use, when the catheter valve210 is in the closed position, urine will continuously accumulate in thecatheter and bladder causing pressure in the bladder to build up. If thepressure is not periodically released, pressure in the bladder mayincrease to a level that may not be desirable. To avoid such asituation, if pressure reaches certain predetermined levels, thepressure relief valve 244 will actuate to provide a fluid path for theurine to flow from the bladder into a temporary reservoir, therebylowering the built-up pressure. While the temporary reservoir is notintended as an alternative to periodically opening the catheter valve210 to void the bladder or using a collection device such as a urinebag, it may serve to prevent accidents, discomfort or other unwantedconsequences in the event that pressure builds up in the bladder toundesirable levels.

Similar to the previously disclosed embodiment, the embodiments of acatheter valve 210 depicted in FIGS. 10-16 comprise a valve body 212having top portion 214, a bottom portion 216, a tubular member 218defining a lumen therein, a slidable member 220 with a contact portion221, an inlet connector 222, and a longitudinal axis 224. As can best beseen in FIGS. 13-16, the top portion 214 of the valve body 212 includesan inclined sliding surface 226 with a longitudinal slot 228 therein.The longitudinal slot 228 forms a track 229 in which the slidable member220 is slidably disposed. Thus, as can best be seen in FIGS. 13-16, thecatheter valve 210 opens and closes due to the convergence/divergence ofthe slidable member 220 toward/from the base 225 of the bottom portion216 of the valve body 212 as the slidable member 220 slides along theinclined track 229 formed by the longitudinal slot 228 in the inclinedsliding surface 226.

More specifically, the contact portion 221 of the slidable member 220 isdisposed at a greater distance from the base 225 of the bottom portion216 when in the first or opened position, position “A,” than in thesecond or closed position, position “B.” Accordingly, when the slidablemember 220 is moved along the track 229 towards the second position “B,”the distance between the contact portion 221 and the base of the bottomportion 216 gradually decreases. As this distance decreases, so does thespace between the contact portion 221 and the base 225 with the tubularmember 218 therebetween. Thus, as the slidable member 220 moves fromposition “A” to position “B,” the contact portion 221 compresses thetubular member 218. When the distance between the contact portion 221and the base 225 of the bottom portion 216 is less than that of thediameter of the tubular member 218, the walls of the tubular member 218are urged into mutual contact with each other until the lumen orinternal passageway of the tubular member 218 is fully obstructed orclosed as depicted at position “B” in FIGS. 13-16. Thus, when theslidable member 220 is in position “B,” the catheter valve 210 is fullyclosed thereby preventing fluid, such as urine, from flowingtherethrough.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in allembodiments of the catheter valve 10, 210 disclosed herein, the angle ofthe inclined sliding surface 28, 226 surface may be reversed such thatthe inclined sliding surface 28, 226 is at a minimum height above theinterior base of the valve body 12, 212 at position “A” and at a maximumheight above the base at position “B.” Thus, in this configuration, thecatheter valve 10, 210 would be closed when the slidable member 16, 220is in position “A” and open when the slidable member 16, 220 is inposition “B.”

Unlike in the previous embodiment of the catheter valve, there is nointerior structure included on the base 225 of the bottom portion 216 ofthe valve body 212 to support the tubular member 218. Therefore, as canbe seen in FIGS. 13-16, the tubular member 218 lies flat along the base225 of the bottom portion 216.

As previously discussed, the present embodiments of the catheter valveinclude a pressure relief valve 244 to allow attenuation of increasedbladder pressure. As can be seen in the figures, the pressure reliefvalve 244 connects the tubular member 218 to a temporary reservoir. Thepressure relief valve 244 can be any type known to those skilled in theart that actuates at a predetermined pressure to open a fluid path toallow urine to flow from the bladder to the temporary reservoir.

In one embodiment, the temporary reservoir can be an expandable bellows246, which is depicted in FIG. 13 in an unexpanded state, such as priorto actuation of the pressure relief valve 244. If, however, pressure inthe bladder was to build to a level above the predetermined actuationpressure level of the pressure relief valve 244, the valve 244 wouldactuate causing urine to flow through a catheter from the bladder,through the tubular member 218 and the pressure relief valve 244, intothe expandable bellows 246 causing the bellows 246 to expand as depictedin FIG. 14.

In another embodiment, the temporary reservoir may be a desiccantmaterial, for example, in the form of a desiccant pad 248 as depicted inFIG. 15 in the dry state prior to actuation of the pressure relief valve244. If, similar to the previous embodiment, pressure in the bladder wasto build to a level above the actuation pressure of the pressure reliefvalve 244, the valve 244 would actuate causing urine to flow through acatheter from the bladder, through the tubular member 218 and thepressure relief valve 244, into the desiccant pad 248 causing thedesiccant pad 248 to absorb the urine as depicted in FIG. 16. Examplesof desiccant materials may include silica gels, activated clay ormolecular sieves.

As depicted in FIG. 17, any of the previously described embodiments ofthe catheter valve 10, 210 may also include an attachment means 300 thatremoveably secures the catheter valve 10, 210 to a user's leg, clothing,or other structure. The attachment means 300 secures the catheter valve10, 210 and, optionally, any collection device, to allow a user to moveabout with the catheter valve 10, 210 and any collection devicehands-free. For example, the attachment means 300 may include a clipstructure, such as the example shown on the external bottom surface ofthe valve body 12, 212 as shown in FIG. 17. Alternatively, theattachment means 300 may be an adhesive pad, strap or other means forattaching the catheter valve to a body part, clothing or otherstructure.

The valve body 12, 212, inlet connectors 18, 222 and outlet connector20, can be constructed from any rigid material such as, for example,rigid polymers including polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide. Thetubular member 14, 218 can be constructed from any flexible compressiblematerial that maintains a fluid tight passageway during flexing andcompression such as, for example, elastomeric polymers including latex,silicone, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride. The slidable member 16,220 can be constructed from any rigid material such as, for example,rigid polymers including polyoxymethylene and polyamide. As will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, the materials used toconstruct the catheter valve are not limited to those described above,which are only given by way of example.

Moreover, any of the previously described embodiments of the cathetervalve 10, 210 may include additional means to provide a user orcaregiver with assurances that the catheter valve 10, 210 is either inthe fully opened or fully closed position. In one embodiment, thecatheter valve can include a means for producing an audible click, ortactile indication when the slidable member 16, 220 is moved into eitherthe first or open position, position “A” and/or the second or closedposition, position “B.” The audible click or tactile indication informsthe caregiver or user as to whether the slidable member 16, 220 hasreached the fully opened position “A” or the fully closed position “B”and thus, whether the catheter valve will permit or restrict the flow ofurine.

An example of a way to produce an audible click is depicted in FIGS.5-7. The sliding bottom portion 32 of the slidable member 16 may includea detent 50 on a first end and a second end. The bottom or interiorsurface of the inclined sliding surface 28 can include correspondingdetents 52 adjacent positions “A” and “B.” Thus, when the slidablemember 16 is slid to position “A” or “B,” the detents 50 on the slidablemember 16 move over the detents 52 on the inclined sliding surface 28thereby producing an audible click informing the user or caregiver thatthe catheter valve 10, 210 is either in the fully opened or fully closedposition. In addition to producing the audible click, the detents canalso serve to lock or hold the slidable member 16 in the fully opened orfully closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 18A-19B, alternatively, or in combination withaudible clicks, the catheter valve 10 may include visual indicators onthe valve body 12, 212 that indicates when the slidable member 16, 220is either (i) in the first or fully opened position, position “A,”and/or (ii) in the second or fully closed position, position “B.” Forexample, the valve body 12, 212 may include markings 350 which are ofcontrasting colors visible against the remainder of the valve body 12,212, either on the inclined sliding surface 28, 226 (see FIGS. 18A and18B) or adjacent to the inclined sliding surface 28, 226 (see FIGS. 19Aand 19B). For example, green may be included on the valve body 12, 212to indicate that the catheter valve 10, 210 is in the opened position(see FIGS. 18B and 19B) and red can be included on the valve body 12,212 to indicate that the catheter valve 10, 210 is in the closedposition (see FIGS. 18A and 19A). Additionally or alternatively, thevisual indicators included on the valve body 12, 212 may be in the formof the numbers “1” and “0” or the letters “X” and “O” to indicate thatthe valve 10, 210 is either opened or closed.

Any embodiments of the catheter valve 10, 210 disclosed or contemplatedherein may be provided as a stand-alone device, separately from acatheter, such as a Foley-type catheter, or it may be provided attachedto a Foley catheter 56, such as depicted in FIG. 20. As shown, the Foleycatheter 56 has a distal end 51 for insertion within a patient's bladderand a proximal end 53 adapted (i) to extend outside of the patient whenthe distal end 51 is inserted in the patient, and (ii) to couple to theinlet connector 18, 222 of the catheter valve 10, 210. If the cathetervalve 10, 210 is provided separately from the Foley catheter 56, theinlet connector 18, 222 of the catheter valve 10 should be connected tothe distal end 51 of the Foley catheter 56 prior to insertion of theFoley catheter 56 into the patient in order to prevent leakage of urinefrom the Foley catheter 56.

As shown in FIG. 20, the catheter valve 10, 210 has a male fitting 58located at its downstream end. The male fitting is preferred forsituations where a user may wish to void their bladder directly into areceptacle, such as a toilet. However, in certain situations, such as atnight, users may want to connect the catheter valve 10, 210 to acollection device, such as a urine bag 54, in order to avoid having toperiodically void their bladder for an extended period of time. Urinebags that are designed to be mated directly to catheters, such as theFoley catheter 56 shown here, also have a male distal fitting 60 attheir distal end, which is adapted to mate to the proximal end 53 of theFoley catheter 56. For such situations, an adapter 62 is provided withtwo ends configured to mate to the valve 10, 210 and the urine bag 54.As shown in FIG. 20, both ends have female fittings. The distal end 63is adapted to mate to the male fitting 58 of the catheter valve 10, 210,and the distal end 64 is adapted to distal fitting of a drain bag 54.Once connected to the urine bag 54, the catheter valve 10, 210 may beleft in the open position to allow the bladder to drain without abuildup of pressure or the need to periodically travel to a receptacle.

In use, after a Foley catheter 56 is inserted through the urethra andinto the bladder of a patient or user, with the catheter valve 10, 210attached to the Foley catheter 56, a user may freely move around withoutthe need of a collection device such as a urine bag. Instead, the usermay periodically void his/her bladder into a receptacle such as, forexample, a toilet bowl, by simply grabbing the catheter valve 10, 210 inone hand with his or her thumb positioned on the slidable member 16,220, directing the catheter valve 10, 210 over the receptacle and movingthe slidable member 16, 220 with his/her thumb from position “A” toposition “B.” When the user is finished voiding the bladder, he/shesimply moves the slidable member 16, 220 from position “B” back toposition “A” thereby closing the catheter valve 10, 210 and allowing theuser to once again freely move around in everyday life.

If the catheter valve 10, 210 is used with a collection device such as aurine bag, as may be the case at night when a user is sleeping, when theurine bag needs to be changed or the user desires to proceed without aurine bag, the user moves the slidable member 16, 220 from position “A”to position “B” thereby closing the catheter valve 10, 210. Once closed,the user can then simply remove the urine bag without spilling orleaking urine. The user can now once again move around freely without aurine bag. Alternatively, the outlet of the catheter valve 10, 210 mayalso be connected to a drainage tube (not shown), to aid in evacuationof the bladder into a receptacle.

The catheter valve body 12 may be provided individually or in a kit witha Foley catheter and/or a collection device.

Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein forpurposes of illustration and exemplification, it is understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that the specific embodiments shown anddescribed may be substituted for a wide variety of alternative and/orequivalent implementations without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations ofthe embodiments discussed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve comprising: a valve body having a topportion with an inclined sliding surface with a longitudinal slotforming a track and a bottom portion corresponding with the top portion;a tubular member having walls defining a passageway extending throughthe valve body; and a slidable member disposed along the track andengageable with the walls of the tubular member.
 2. The valve of claim1, wherein the slidable member includes an exterior portion adapted tobe engaged by a user and an interior contact portion.
 3. The valve ofclaim 1, wherein the slidable member is at least partially disposedwithin the track and moves along the inclined sliding surface.
 4. Thevalve of claim 2, wherein the tubular member is disposed between theinterior contact portion and the bottom portion.
 5. The valve of claim4, wherein the interior contact portion extends away from the exteriorportion and toward the bottom portion.
 6. The valve of claim 1, whereinopposing sides of the walls are urged toward each other when theslidable member engages one of the opposing sides.
 7. The valve of claim1, wherein the angle of the inclined sliding surface with respect to alongitudinal axis is approximately 3-9°.
 8. The valve of claim 1,further comprising a pressure sensitive valve fluidly connected to thetubular member.
 9. The valve of claim 1, wherein the slidable memberincludes a movement indicator.
 10. The valve of claim 9, wherein themovement indicator is an audible click device.
 11. The valve of claim 9,wherein the movement indicator is a tactile indicator device.
 12. Thevalve of claim 9, wherein the movement indicator is a visual indicatordevice.
 13. A valve comprising: a valve body having a top portion withan inclined sliding surface with a longitudinal slot forming a track anda bottom portion corresponding with the top portion; and a slidablemember disposed along the track and having a sliding top portion and asliding bottom portion with a curved contact portion.
 14. The valve ofclaim 13, wherein the sliding top portion and the sliding bottom portionattach to one another using a tab portion extending through thelongitudinal slot such that the inclined sliding surface is sandwichedbetween the sliding top portion and the sliding bottom portion.
 15. Thevalve of claim 13, wherein the sliding top portion and tab portion arepress-fit together .
 16. The valve of claim 13, wherein the sliding topportion moves the sliding bottom portion toward and away from the bottomportion when the top portion moves along the longitudinal slot.
 17. Avalve comprising: a valve body having a top portion with an inclinedsliding surface with a longitudinal slot forming a track and a bottomportion corresponding with the top portion and having base and a raisedstructure extending up from the base; a slidable member disposed alongthe track and having an interior contact portion extending toward thebase; and a tubular member having walls defining a passageway extendingthrough the valve body; and mutually engageable with the raisedstructure and the interior contact portion.
 18. The valve of claim 17,wherein at least a portion of the tubular member is disposed along theraised structure between the interior contact portion and the raisedstructure.
 19. The valve of claim 17, wherein the tubular member bendsalong a profile of the raised structure.